The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
